Wesley Clark has kicked his presidential campaign into overdrive.
Invigorated by a third place tie in Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, the retired Army General stormed into Albuquerque on Wednesday, bringing his message of family values and the need for Americans to take their country back.
"This country is about us," Clark said to a standing ovation from hundreds of New Mexican veterans at American Legion Post 99. "I need your help to take it back for us."
Clark was the first of the five remaining Democratic candidates to visit New Mexico in what is believed to be the beginning of a week-long push in the six states Democrats will vote in next Tuesday.
Having opted not to participate in the nation's first caucus in Iowa, Clark focused his attention on New Hampshire, hoping for a strong finish to bolster his ratings.
A tie for third with North Carolina Sen. John Edwards seemed to suit Clark just fine, perhaps reminding him he isn't out of the race just yet.
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"I'm excited to have won part of that race," he said. "Now I'm focusing my attention on letting as many people know that if given the chance, I will bring a higher standard of education to this country."
Clark was eager to remind the audience he is not a career politician. In fact, he said he was proud he isn't one, and he doesn't think the country should be run by such a person.
"I haven't spent any time cutting deals in the back room with special interest groups," he said. "Instead, I've spent my time pulling people together."
Clark dedicated the bulk of his speech Wednesday to outlining his strategy for improving the quality of life for who he calls the most important people in the country - its citizens.
He said he realizes the importance of a strong higher education system, vowing to implement an innovative strategy to help people get a college education.
Grants of $6,000, to be given to all who are interested in attending a college or university for the first two years of their education, are a successful way of motivating students to continue with their studies and help offset the increasing tuition rates nationwide.
"The cost of a college education has gone up 28 percent in the past three years," he said. "I don't know anyone whose income can match that. This is a way of making America stronger."
Clark said the 8.5 million Americans currently out of work is a result of bad leadership and wants to solve that problem by injecting $40 billion into homeland security, creating thousands of new jobs. He also said he wants to ease the financial burden of the average U.S. family by raising its income $3,000 a year by increasing the minimum wage to $7 an hour.
Touting his military background, Clark said he was trained to be accountable for his actions and wants to build an open, transparent U.S. government based on the same ideal.
Clark said he isn't running for president to bash President Bush. He said he is running to replace him.
Still, he couldn't resist taking some well-aimed jabs at him.
Clark said the country is sorely lacking leadership that is focused on the long term, not just the next election.
"Patriotism is not dressing in a flight suit and prancing around," he said of Bush's attempt to win Americans over by landing on an aircraft carrier to announce the end to combat in Iraq. "It's about taking care of your fellow Americans."
